Tag Archives:family travel

How finding a home away from home opens up our family to new experience and memorable moments that we will always cherish.

It’s no secret that we love to travel as a family, and certainly no secret that we have certain places we love going back to over and over again. We tend to find comfort in the familiar, and many of our favourite destinations have a homey feel about them that is hard to imagine not returning to. They draw us back over and over again.

With it’s open, gorgeous property on the water, the towering fireplace in the centre of the main building, the cozy, inviting chairs, the delicious food or the impeccable service, it’s easily a family favourite for us. I’ve written about our visits in the past (during both the summer and winter. Both have their appeal!)

When we were invited back this summer, we were excited to plan our return. While the winter has a magical feeling about it (especially when we go during the Christmas season), the summer for me is all about the activities and time together.

For those in the Ottawa area, Montebello is not a far drive. If you are outside of Ottawa, it’s worth making the trip for.

This is a place where together, as a family, we try new things. Our first experience with kayaking was at Le Chateau Montebello last summer and we instantly were in love (even if my muscles weren’t!) We naturally had to repeat it this year.

It was also last summer’s tennis matches at Le Chateau Montebello where we discovered we all loved the game and it would be the perfect family activity. After that trip, we bought racquets and balls and have been enjoying the game since.

Having a place where we are comfortable to try new things together has been so special. Of course, there are the tried and true activities that we love too like mini golf (my game improves each time!) and swimming. While the indoor pool is stunning, the outdoor pool captures my heart in the summer. It’s heated, it’s situated in a gorgeous location, has pool-side food and beverage service, and feels like we are at a far away resort. It’s perfect. We spent a lot of time there!

I realize now that one of the things I love most about Le Chateau Montebello is that it’s like a Choose Your Own Adventure vacation. Want to go play tennis? Great! Want to take up kayaking? Perfect! Want to swim? Head to the pool! Want to read a book by the water? Done! Each step is something new and different if you choose, or you can repeat your favourites (which is how we end up playing mini golf about 4 times.)

I can’t tell you how much I love the memories we make at Le Chateau Montebello. I know the kids love them too. We don’t have a cottage, but this feels like our own little cottage getaway (with many more perks!) In truth, if I could, I would return every quarter, or every month. Just all the time.

If you want to build memories like this, I can’t recommend a stay here enough.

Disclosure: Part of my stay was compensated, but all opinions are my own. Thank you Le Chateau Montebello for your hospitality! We had an amazing time, as always.

Subtitled: How to camp for the non-camper

On the first of July, our family did something we haven’t done before. We spent the night in the woods. Sure, it was a rather controlled setting and it’s not as though we were going to run out of food and water – but this was an adventure for all of us.

Proof I went camping!

Parc Omega invited us to spend the night in one of their lodgings. Did you know they had lodgings? When I told people we would be doing this, many were surprised (and delighted) to hear that there are cabins, tents and tipis to stay in.

We were hosted in the Wi-Tent, which is set up like a yurt. The campsite is near the main entrance to Parc Omega (although park admission is separate from your accommodation fee, those who stay at the lodging receive a discount for Parc Omega tickets).

When you first enter the lodge area, you check in. You have the option to get someone to help drive your items to the site, or to use a cart instead. We were only staying one night, and between the four of us we were able to walk in with our bags. At check-in, we were informed about where we would be staying and shown a map directing us to the camper showers and washrooms, if we needed them. There was also an explanation on how the set-up worked. In our package we received bedding. However, if you opted out of the bedding package, you would just bring your own.

We purchased some firewood (we were determined to make s’mores!) and then we were on our way! We were so excited to get to our tent. We parked at the accommodation lot near our tent area and walked through the woods to discover that we definitely wouldn’t be camping in a traditional sense.

We loved how the tent was set up. It was very clean and dry (after days and days of rain, including the day we were there, we weren’t sure what to expect) and there were two doors – the main door, plus an interior screen door which was nice if you wanted to leave it open to let a breeze in. While our temperatures were on the cooler side for the first of July, it’s a great way to keep things cool inside the the tent.

Parents, you’ll be happy to know that there are interior locks on the doors, including a high-up, hard to reach (and harder to open) lock. It meant that while we slept at night, we all felt secure. If you have kids who tend to explore, the locks are a nice touch.

The tent has a wood stove inside, which a family across the way was using. It was tempting given the dampness outside from the rain, but it wasn’t cool enough to worry about warming the interior. There is also a water jug for drinking water provided. You can find all of the inclusions on the accommodation website.

Now, one of my biggest questions was about the toilet. We could drive to the main camper area to use the toilets, but that’s not the most convenient option. Instead, what we discovered was our campsite had a dry toilet. It looked like a regular bathroom in many ways, but there was sawdust to put in the bowl after each use. It was fascinating and seemed to work well! Again, we were there one night – it wasn’t a stretch to make this work (although, for non-campers, we really weren’t sure at first!)

The campsite itself was situated around a small pond, with lots of trees and two other Wi-Tents nearby (but not close enough that you didn’t feel comfortable in your own space).

There is also a fire pit that has a grill top. Firewood can be purchased (which we did) and they provided newspaper to help get it going. One of the reasons that we wanted a fire, other than s’mores, was to make coffee. It worked! I had a kettle for the grill and used instant coffee.

We brought our own snacks (instant oatmeal for the morning for example) and while we ate at the Cafe at Parc Omega before we checked in (mostly because the rain was threatening our fire plans) we definitely would plan to cook supper on the fire the next time we go.

One of the highlights of the accommodations at Parc Omega is the private wolf and bear boardwalk that is only accessible to those in the lodgings. We had a really close look at the wolves and bears and enjoyed a nice walk along the boardwalk. We also could hear the wolves howling at night and in the morning. That was a magnificent sound (it didn’t hurt to know that we were safely tucked away from them and that they weren’t on the loose!)

It heaved rain when we went into the tent to get ready for bed, and the thunder was booming. At first, the kids didn’t think they would be able to sleep, but that didn’t last long. We were tucked comfortably into our beds in the tent and they slept soundly. When everyone was asleep, I kept the lamp on (there are solar powered plug-in lamps!) for a couple hours while listening to the storm and reading a book. It was amazing.

We had such a great time at Parc Omega and the opportunity to spend the night is one that we won’t soon forget. As non-campers, we all agreed that this was something we’d love to do again. It was the perfect way for us to spend a night in the wilderness without the worry or investment of equipment that we otherwise would have had to do.

A few notes before you plan your trip:

Parc Omega lodging is available between May and October and there are various lodging options.

We stayed in the Wi-Tent.

Parc Omega tickets are discounted for those who stay overnight.

Bookings can be made online.

Thank you Parc Omega for inviting us to stay! We loved every minute of it!

We were hosted by Parc Omega for free but all opinions and experiences are my own.

When we travel to Niagara, there is one spot we know for a fact that we want to go for supper at least once and that’s The Market at the Village – Supper Market.

This place is beyond amazing (especially if you love delicious, local food and lots of options!). There are various places to eat (food trucks and stands with delicious fare like tacos, pulled pork sandwiches, nachos, and more – including vegan and gluten free options) plus, cold drinks. You can purchase beer and wine tickets (with plenty of local craft beer and some local wineries on site to choose from) or grab a cold soda, water or lemonade. The options seem endless.

The Market at the Village Supper Market is set just outside of Niagara on the Lake itself. There are many, many picnic tables set up and some have umbrellas for shade. Live music plays and while we missed it, there was going to be a bouncy castle for kids as the evening went one!

It’s absolutely a place to take kids. You will find many toddlers happily walking around the grounds in between tables while they wait for their dinner and some will stop and dance to the music that is playing. Strollers can easily be pushed around as well. My kids love eating outside any chance they get, plus with the live music AND their choice of supper, it’s a pretty great deal.

Speaking of deal, the cost is amazing. The four of us can easily eat for much less than if we were in a restaurant.

The biggest difficulty with the supper market is deciding what to eat, but this is also one of the most amazing selling features. With four of us, there is 100% going to be something we all want. On this trip, each of the kids opted for a pulled pork sandwich, I went with the tacos and Andy went to a different stand for a beef brisket sandwich. I could easily rave about every bite we had (yes, I tried them all!). The kids finished their meal with a fancy ice cream sundae!

We love sitting in the shade and taking in the sights, sounds and tastes of the supper market. If you are in the Niagara area, mark this on your list of ‘must do’ items. You won’t be disappointed. The only disappointment we have is that we don’t live close enough to go all the time!

Mosaicanada 150 is a must-do for families this summer.

You may remember in April when I had a preview of the amazing outdoor flower and plant sculpture exhibition called Mosaicanada.

Last week, I was invited by Outaouais Tourism to see the final results, and I can tell you they are breathtaking. The scale of each piece, plus the significance and care that obviously went into each one is evident.

I can’t wait to bring the kids to Moscaicanada, I know they will love it. I am including a few pictures, but this is only a sampling of the 45 sculptures in total. I don’t want to post too many because they really should be experienced for themselves.

A few things to note before you go:

-The exhibit is open daily from 10 am until 7 pm and is located at Jacques Cartier Park.

-There is a good chance there will be a line to get in. There is a security check in place. But because it’s a walking path, the line tends to move quite well from what I’ve been told.

-The path is about 1 km long and takes about 45 minutes to go through. Sometimes longer if you are reading and exploring. Less maybe if you have kids directing the stops 😉

-Parking may be an issue BUT the STO has FREE parking on weekends and select dates with a FREE shuttle to Mosaicanada (and other sites) available. Visit the STO website for details and to plan your trip! They also have day passes and 3-day passes available.

-Water and snacks for purchase are available at Mosaicanada if you are in need.

-The area is stroller friendly.

-There are some shady areas, but on a sunny day, there’s a lot of sun exposure. Grab hats and sunscreen!

Have fun, and be sure to bring your camera!

*I was invited by Outaouais Tourism to check out the event on a press trip but can’t wait to return with my family!

I think this is a bit of a hidden gem that not everyone who goes to PEI visits, but we loved the Bottle Houses on the west side of the Island.

While we made a point of visiting as many lighthouses and beaches as we could over the years (even though after climbing some houses my son and I thought we would never climb down!), there are still so many places in PEI to visit that are enchanting, exciting, and that feel special.

The Bottle Houses are exactly like this. They have that whimsical, magical feeling to them.

They are located on the North Cape Coastal Drive in Cap-Egmont, PEI. (According to their website, about 40 minutes from the bridge). The ‘village’ is a series of tiny buildings and houses that have been made from bottles. There is an admission fee but on a nice day, it’s a lovely way to spend part of a morning or afternoon.

We had a lovely visit exploring the houses. The day we went it was sunny so the light was really able to shine in. The kids were younger when we went and this was a great spot, because there was plenty of space for them to explore and walk around in the gardens and houses.

If you are looking for a unique stop when you head to PEI, add this to your list!

Travelling in Ontario this summer? Various places are offering two free entrance tickets for kids!

In addition to the National Park Pass that will allow you into National Parks, Locks and Marinas, and some Forts across the country for Free this year, Ontario just announced a series of attractions that are being discounted for families too!

Two free tickets are being offered via downloadable coupon via the Ontario Fun Pass to a variety of attractions across Ontario. Ever thought about going to the ROM? Now is your chance to save the admission price on two tickets for the kids! Or Upper Canada Village (a place we love), or the Butterfly Conservatory in Niagara (another place we love). The list includes 18 places of interest in total.

Please note there are conditions to some of the passes so it’s worth checking out. Also, to claim your passes, you have to provide your school board (if applicable) and postal code.

If you are making family travel plans for the summer, this is another great way to save some coin, and experience something new as a family.

Are you planning some summer travel? Now that the school year is almost ending, many of us are turning to look at our vacation time and summer days to see where we should go as a family. I asked local Ottawa bloggers for some of their favourite places to check out as mini toad trips in the area or staycations with the family. Here’s what they told me:

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“Calypso! We are long-time fans of Calypso Theme Waterpark. We never let a summer pass us by without spending at least one day at this water playground for kids of all ages. It’s truly one of our favourite places to spend time on a hot summer’s day. It’s a water park full of adventure for everyone in the family – no matter what your idea of adventure is! We have our season’s passes all ready to go for the summer of 2017! Can’t wait!”

Read more about Upper Canada Village on Ashley’s blog (editor’s note: Go for the freshly baked bread and stay for the fun)

“Lusk Cave! We’ve gone as a family a few times and always enjoyed it. It requires a bit of gumption and bravery, but the light at the end of the tunnel and the feeling of accomplishment that comes with it… amazing!”

“I did a mini bike tour along the Rideau Canal. My family loves to travel along this national historic site as we get some exercise in. The views along each side of the Canal are breathtaking, and watching the locks from each end of my tour is a sight to see.”

Have you travelled with the kids on Via Rail before? We did a few years ago (you can read about it here) to get to a ballgame and loved it. Andy and I have always been huge fans of train travel, and used to take the train a lot when going to Toronto or Windsor before kids. But with a family of four, train travel isn’t always affordable, depending on the time of year.

When we went with the kids years ago, we got four tickets for an amazing price. That’s why I was excited to see that Via Rail is offering tickets for kids for $15, one way (ages 2-11). That means that both my kids can travel for about $60 round trip, and we just need to keep an eye out for an amazing deal for Andy and I and the four of us could go! Heads up: Children 24 months old and younger are free (if they don’t use a seat). Plus, kids travelling on Via Rail will receive an activity book as part of the Choo Choo club! There are some conditions (like travel dates) but it may be worth looking into for your next trip.

Depending on where we travel, having a car is best, but some locations, like downtown Toronto, or even Windsor where we have family, doesn’t require us to have a car.

So this summer, we’ll be keeping an eye out for some great seat sales and maybe we’ll be taking the train again!

Planning a vacation with the kids? We’ve been travelling with ours since they were about 6 weeks old. We’ve always had family out of town, so road trips and flights were necessary to visit them, and as the years have gone by we’ve planned many fun vacations as a family of four.

This often has required us to stay in hotels and resorts. Sometimes it’s for a quick night while we continue on to another location, other times it’s for a few nights as a mini vacation in itself. Over the years, we’ve picked up a few tips along the way that make each of our stays even easier. Have questions? Ask away!

Pack for the hotel

When we go on long road trips, and have a lot of items, we don’t love carrying every single baseball bat and beach towel into the hotel room, especially for only a simple overnight stay. Instead, we make sure that our hotel items (the overnight clothes we need for example) are either in a smaller bag or on top of the rest of the clothes we pack in our main suitcase. We only take what we need. Some items can stay in the car, while others will remain neatly packed in the suitcase thanks to some pre-planning.

Find a place that includes breakfast

I love places that include breakfast. It not only saves us money, but breakfast is the meal that my kids are guaranteed to eat so much of. Some places off a hot continental breakfast which is always amazing (and usually have coffee to go when we hit the road again!) Other places offer a voucher for room service (I love this!) or a restaurant meal, depending on the package you book. For us, finding a place with breakfast is always worth it.

A fridge can help

Especially when the kids were younger and their diet was more limited, a fridge in the room was exactly what we needed. This isn’t included everywhere, but some places offer mini fridges and I love having them. We can keep yogurt or a small milk container and bring along some cereal which makes a perfect bedtime snack (especially if the kids are fussy and don’t eat much at dinner). It also means cold drinks are always handy which saves you money at the vending machines or restaurants.

Bring stuffies

We don’t go anywhere without a favourite stuffy friend (or, sometimes, many). Not only do they provide a cuddle buddy for sleeping, but also a play mate for quiet time. When the sleep environment changes, having a friend from home is often more comforting for kids.

Consider the bed set up

Most rooms will have double beds, others will have a king bed with a pull out couch. If you need an extra cot, check to see if they are available, if there is a charge, or if you need to request it earlier. You don’t want to assume there is a cot or crib, and then find out that the hotel doesn’t provide it.

Look into booking a Suite

There are many suites and longer-stay style hotel rooms that are perfect for families. Having an extra room when you have young kids that you are trying to put to sleep might be exactly what you need. Having a kitchen set up in the room will also be helpful, especially if staying longer. Yes, sometimes suites are expensive at some hotels, but we’ve found many that are reasonably priced, include breakfast and even other food like evening receptions.

Is there enough to do?

If you just need a place to rest your head before continuing on your way, look at the room itself as a priority. However, if you need a place to spend some time, even if it’s for an afternoon, check out places with pools or play areas for kids so you don’t have to spend all your time in the room.

Sometimes, hotel stays are nothing but a stressful event because kids won’t sleep or the set up isn’t ideal for families. With a little advanced research, hopefully you’ll reduce the number of nights like this. And remember, part of the adventure for the kids is sleeping at a hotel! They’ll likely be excited no matter what. Have fun!

This was our third year going to Walt Disney World with the kids. We love it, I think that’s probably obvious by our enthusiasm leading up to the trip and if you follow any of my social media accounts while I’m away.

Unlike the past two years, we went in March rather than the end of January/Early February. Typically, we choose earlier in the year not only because prices are better but there are fewer crowds. As few as you can really ever get at Disney World. We still avoided going over March Break and instead went the week before. It’s considered a busy time, but not the busiest. We definitely noticed an increase in crowds but thanks to FastPasses and some planning (plus our comfort level in where to go because of previous trips) we weren’t bothered by it.

What we were pleasantly surprised about was the International Flower and Garden Festival that began in March and runs until the end of May. We didn’t know what to expect with this special event (which was included in our ticket price to the park anyway) and in the end it was a highlight for us.

A few things: Epcot is typically our shortest park day. We usually time it for the day after Magic Kingdom when we stay up late watching fireworks. All that comes on the heels of early travel days as well. The back of the park where the World Showcase is doesn’t open until after 11 am (which includes the food – we discovered this our first year the hard way!) but the front of the park with rides, character meet and greets and more is open at regular park times.

Walt Disney World Flower and Garden Festival: Why did we love the Flower and Garden Festival so much?

The Topiaries

These gorgeous displays were truly sites to behold. Favourite Disney characters made out of plants and flowers were pieces of art. My daughter especially loved taking pictures of herself in front of them! The kids enjoyed keeping their eyes opened for hidden ones too.

My personal favourite were from Beauty and The Beast.

The Food

I’ll give my kids credit; Andy and I plan so much of our family trips around food, and they come to expect it now. It’s not wonder they don’t mind though, we always manage to find some bites that we all love (and yes, loads of dessert options!). Because of the Festival, special food stations were set up at many of the World Showcase Countries. These included special menu items. There was a cost for each mini plate, but being on the Disney Dining Plan, we were able to use snack credits. We literally walked around the world that day eating food. The food was amazing.

The Extras

A musical garden was set up for the kids which was a lot of fun. As with most days, there were characters all over the park to meet and get pictures with and live musical performances and shows along the way. This is typical of Epcot, but the added butterfly garden and play area for the kids were definitely noticed.

Want to head to the Festival? Here are some tips:

Plan to do the front of the park first. FastPass your rides for the morning as best you can. However, plan for the new Frozen ride in the afternoon – it’s at the World Showcase so when you are working your way around, it’s a natural timing. ALSO that ride had the longest wait of our trip this year because it’s so new. It was a lot of fun, and Frozen fans will want to get on it, but a FastPass is your friend.

If on the Dining Plan, you can use snack credits for the special food stations. Wine and Beer is an additional cost. Because we knew we were going to snack our way around Epcot we didn’t make sit down dinner plans. This was a wise decision!

We loved this festival at Epcot this year and would definitely try to time it to visit there again!

Welcome to A Little Bit of Momsense! My name is Rebecca and I'm chatting about parenting, family friendly activities, yummy recipes, family travel, and living a life full of love and laughter. Thanks for stopping by!